Avoid side conversations and interruptions while you are on the phone. If you must take care of something, ask permission to leave the call for a brief moment—then keep it brief.

Do not type on your computer keyboard, read e-mail/mail, eat, drink, or chew gum while on the phone.

Always turn off cell phones (and pagers) at meetings, in theatres, and when dining. If you must check calls as they come in, turn the phone or pager to vibrate mode. If you must answer the call, excuse yourself and go to a secluded area.

Never carry on a cell-phone conversation so that it disturbs others or makes them feel less important than the person you are talking to.